A House That Once Was

Two children discover an abandoned house in the woods. Through windows and open doors, they explore what remains inside. The story follows their investigation of objects, rooms, and traces of the previous inhabitants. The narrative unfolds through rhythmic verse text paired with mixed media illustrations that shift between present and past scenes. The house becomes a portal for imagination as the children piece together clues about who might have lived there before. Their curiosity drives a meditation on time, memory, and the stories contained within empty spaces. The book captures the universal childhood experience of encountering abandoned places and wondering about their histories. Through this lens, it explores themes of impermanence and the connections between past and present.

Readers appreciate the dreamy, contemplative tone and Lane Smith's distinctive illustrations that combine painted textures with digital elements. Parents and teachers note the book works well for prompting discussions about abandoned places and imagination. Likes: - Poetic, gentle text that captures children's curiosity - Artwork that matches the mysterious mood - Opportunities for open-ended conversations - Handles themes of time and memory thoughtfully Dislikes: - Some find the story too quiet or lacking clear resolution - A few mention the atmosphere feels slightly melancholic for young readers - Price point high for length of text Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,124 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (77 reviews) Notable review quote: "The illustrations are haunting in the best possible way - they make you wonder about the lives lived in that house long ago." - Goodreads reviewer School Library Journal gave it a starred review, highlighting how it "captures the mysterious allure of abandoned houses."

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🏠 Author Julie Fogliano spent much of her childhood exploring abandoned houses in the woods near her home, which directly inspired this poetic story about discovery and imagination. 🎨 The book's illustrator, Lane Smith, used an innovative combination of traditional oil paintings and digital techniques to create the distinctive two-tone atmosphere that shifts between the present-day scenes and imagined past. 🏆 A House That Once Was earned a spot on the New York Public Library's Best Books of 2018 list and was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. 📖 The story's rhythmic text follows a specific meter called iambic tetrameter, the same poetic pattern found in many nursery rhymes, making it naturally engaging for young readers. 🌟 The book cleverly explores the concept of time through parallel narratives - the physical exploration of the abandoned house in the present, and the imaginative reconstruction of its past life, helping children understand how places hold memories and stories.